Roots of Suffocation

Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida, formed in 1983 by guitarist, primary composer and sole remaining original member Trey Azagthoth, vocalist and bassist Dallas Ward, and drummer Mike Browning. It was one of the first bands to incorporate guttural vocals, up-tempo blast beats, multiple tempo changes and a dark atmosphere. Morbid Angel was also the first death metal band to experience mainstream success in connection with being signed to Giant Records in 1992, heavy rotation of its music videos on MTV, and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butt-Head. The band's first three albums – Altars of Madness (1989), Blessed Are the Sick (1991), and Covenant (1993) – are considered classics in the death metal genre.

Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and vocalist/bassist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style made them one of the "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Slayer's current lineup comprises King, Araya, drummer Paul Bostaph, and guitarist Gary Holt, who initially joined as a touring musician in 2011 before joining the band permanently after Hanneman's death in 2013; the drummer Jon Dette is a former member of the band.

Destruction is a German thrash metal band formed in 1982. They have been credited as one of the "Big Four" of the German thrash metal scene, alongside Kreator, Sodom and Tankard.

Malevolent Creation is an American death metal band formed in Buffalo, New York in 1987 and later based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The band's original members were guitarists Phil Fasciana and Jim Nickles and vocalist Bret Hoffmann, who were joined by bassist Jason Blachowicz and drummer Dennis Kubas the following year. Fasciana is the only founding member who stayed with the band consistently.

Sanguisugabogg is an American death metal band formed in Columbus, Ohio, in 2019 by guitarist Cameron Boggs. To date, they have released one demo, one live album and three studio albums. Current members include guitarist Cody Davidson, vocalist Devin Swank and guitarist-bassist Drew Arnold.

Cryptopsy is a Canadian death metal band from Montreal. Founded in 1988, the band initially consisted of drummer Mike Atkin, guitarist Steve Thibault, and vocalist Dan "Lord Worm' Greening. The band initially formed in 1988 under the name Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, releasing numerous demos before disbanding and reforming with new members Dave Galea and Flo Mounier in 1991, eventually renaming to Cryptopsy and releasing their debut album, Blasphemy Made Flesh, followed by their second album, None So Vile, which is regarded as an influential cult classic in the death metal underground. To date the band have released nine albums, two EPs, and a live album.

Decapitated is a Polish death metal band formed in Krosno in 1996. The group is composed of guitarist, founder and composer Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, vocalist Eemeli Bodde, bassist Paweł Pasek and drummer James Stewart. Decapitated are recognized as one of death metal's most widely respected bands and one of the finest exponents of technical death metal. The band earned an international fan base in the underground music community and became an innovating act in the modern death metal genre.